1. Basic Cold Process Soap: This is a simple recipe for creating traditional cold process soap. Please note that lye is involved, so follow safety precautions and use protective gear.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz (450g) coconut oil
- 16 oz (450g) olive oil
- 6 oz (170g) palm oil
- 6 oz (170g) shea butter
- 7.2 oz (204g) lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 16.5 oz (468g) water
Instructions:
- Wear gloves, safety goggles, and an apron.
- Measure water and lye separately, and then mix lye into water while stirring. Allow the mixture to cool.
- Melt coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil, and shea butter in a pot.
- Once both the lye solution and oils are around 100-110°F (38-43°C), slowly pour the lye solution into the oils, stirring constantly.
- Use an immersion blender to mix until the soap reaches “trace” (a pudding-like consistency).
- Add any fragrance, essential oils, colorants, or additives at this stage.
- Pour the soap mixture into molds and cover with a towel or cardboard.
- Allow the soap to cure in the molds for 24-48 hours.
- After curing, unmold the soap and cut it into bars.
- Allow the bars to cure for 4-6 weeks before use.
2. Melt and Pour Soap with Botanicals: Melt and pour soap bases are a great option for beginners as they eliminate the need to work with lye.
Ingredients:
- Melt and pour soap base
- Dried botanicals (e.g., lavender, chamomile, rose petals)
- Essential oils (optional)
- Soap molds
Instructions:
- Cut the melt and pour soap base into small cubes.
- Melt the soap base using a microwave or double boiler.
- Add a few drops of essential oil, if desired, and mix well.
- Place dried botanicals into soap molds.
- Pour the melted soap base into the molds, covering the botanicals.
- Allow the soap to cool and harden.
- Once hardened, unmold the soap bars.
3. Oatmeal and Honey Soap: This recipe incorporates soothing ingredients like oatmeal and honey for a gentle and nourishing soap.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz (450g) olive oil
- 8 oz (225g) coconut oil
- 8 oz (225g) shea butter
- 6 oz (170g) lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 13 oz (368g) water
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Essential oils (optional)
Instructions:
- Follow the same process as the basic cold process soap, but add oatmeal and honey at trace.
- Blend the rolled oats in a food processor until finely ground.
- Stir in the oatmeal and honey before pouring the soap into molds.
These recipes are just starting points, and you can get creative with ingredients, colors, fragrances, and designs. Remember to always follow safety precautions and research soap-making techniques thoroughly before starting.
